After embarking on
the construction of the "Autobahn" motorway in 1933, development of a
"people's car - Volkswagen" was declared at the following year's Berlin
motor show. The "People's Car" project was immediately carried out and in
February 1936, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche presented his first prototype, which
was the very root of the fabulous Volkswagen "Beetle". However, along with
the outbreak of the World War 2, all manufacturing of the Volkswagen was
immediately turned to military production. It was in January 1938, when
the German Defense Forces presented specifications for a military version
of this practical vehicle. In November of the same year, a prototype model
was completed and it was officially designated the Pkw. K1 "Kubelwagen"
Type 82. The vehicle used a light but sturdy, monocoque construction with
foldable canvas top. The rear mounted, air-cooled 4 cylinder engine had a
displacement of 985cc and output of 23.5hp at 3,000rpm, propelling the car
up to 80km/h. The four wheels were supported by a torsion bar suspension
system. The Kubelwagen was initially deployed to the Reconnaissance
battalions. With its reliable engine and heavy duty suspension, the
Kubelwagen immediately came to be used by every unit, from the scorching
desert of Africa to the frozen Russian Eastern Front. About 51,000
Kubelwagens, including several variations, were rolled out from the
factory by the end of WW2.